Harrison County Iowa Genealogy

HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY, IOWA, 1915
BIOGRAPHIES
Page 805
SILAS WILLIAMSON

The people of Denmark have a world-wide reputation for thrift, industry and sobriety, and better stock for American citizens it would be hard to imagine. Love of the soil is inherent in the sons of Denmark, and Silas WILLIAMSON is no exception to the rule.

As has been intimated, Silas WILLIAMSON is a native of Denmark, born on September 8, 1862, the son of Anders and Karen M. (Jensdater) WILLIAMSON, the former of whom was married twice and was the father of eight children by each marriage, Silas being a son of the second marriage. The parents of Mr. WILLIAMSON were farmers in Denmark the father being also a brick mason and goldsmith, which trades he followed in connection with his farming.

Mr. WILLIAMSON received a very good common-school education in Denmark, where school attendance between the ages of six and fourteen is compulsory. At the age of nineteen he came to America and located in Missouri Valley, this county, where his sister was living. He worked in the shops of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company for two years, after which he rented land for nine years, gradually accumulating capital until he was enabled to buy eighty acres of land in section 8 of Cincinnati township, where he has lived since. The original eighty has been increased to two hundred and twenty-five fertile acres, which are planted mainly to corn and wheat. Mr. WILLIAMSON raises a few cattle, but specializes in hogs, of which he feeds about two car loads each year. All of the live stock on his farm is of an exceptionally high grade.

On January 15, 1892, Mr. WILLIAMSON married Helena Hansen, who was born on June 8, 1866, the daughter of John and Engre (Carlsen) Hansen, the former of whom, a farmer, was married twice and was the father of eleven children. Helena Hansen came to America in the same year as did her husband, in December of 1891. To Mr. WILLIAMSON and his wife have been born six children, namely: Arthur, who married Nettie J. Foreman; Josie M., Clarence C., Susie B., Loyal W., and Gilbert.

Politics has no great attraction for Mr. WILLIAMSON, as he prefers to give his attention to his large agricultural interests, although he votes the Democratic ticket and takes keen interest in all questions vital to the public welfare. He and his family are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. WILLIAMSON offers an example of the prosperous, contented farmer, who feels that his life is full if he may do his duty to himself and his neighbors as he feels is right.

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